In Josh McDaniels first hire as head coach, the Colts have reportedly hired Matt Eberflus as their new defensive coordinator. What should Colts fans expect under his watch defensively?
The Colts have a new defensive coordinator in Matt Eberflus. He is new head coach Josh McDaniels first official hire as head coach. Eberflus was working on the Dallas Cowboy’s staff prior to McDaniels hiring him.
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He has never been an NFL defensive coordinator before, but he seems to be an up and coming coach. He did a nice job improving the Dallas linebacking corp, and was even able to keep them from cratering when Sean Lee got hurt. If he can do that sort of work with the Colts’ linebackers, then that unit should improve tremendously.
What sort of system should Colts fans expect to see under Eberflus? In Dallas, the defense was under a 4-3 Tampa 2 scheme. There are a lot of zone coverages in a Tampa 2, and the success is predicated on the front four getting pressure on the quarterback. There aren’t a lot of blitzes in a Tampa 2 scheme.
The Colts currently run a 3-4 scheme, and have the personnel to due so. While it is easier to switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 than it is the other way around, the Colts would still have to get some different players. Eberflus has not yet indicated what scheme he is going to run in Indianapolis.
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Eberflus is going to have to learn the ropes next season, and he needs to do it quickly. The Colts defense was very bad last year. And if Eberflus changes the Colts’ system and they don’t perform well, he is going to be under even more scrutiny. Hopefully Eberflus is able to elevate the Colts defense to at least an average defense next year.